Veronica Roble v. Dominador Arbasa

Summary

This Supreme Court case resolved a property boundary dispute between family members over land in Leyte. Respondent spouses Arbasa purchased 240 square meters from Fidela Roble in 1976, but through reclamation efforts, the property expanded to 884 square meters. After Fidela's death, her nieces claimed ownership of the additional 644 square meters. The trial court applied the best evidence rule and found the deed conveyed only 240 square meters. The Court of Appeals reversed, reasoning the deed's boundary description indicated a larger sale. The Supreme Court granted the petition, applying Civil Code Article 1542 on lump sum sales and the parol evidence rule, finding the additional area constituted unreasonable excess. The case was remanded to determine the land's classification as potential foreshore land requiring proper government lease procedures.